Archive | Kids

We all learn differently. This is especially apparent to a teacher – whether a homeschool teacher or a certified public school teacher. What’s not apparent all the time is exactly which type of learning is best for each individual.

What most educational systems don’t account for is the vast discrepancy between students and their individual learning styles or ‘intelligences’. Some students are great at math or reading, while others are great learning a new sport or a new song. The key to a good education is allowing for all of the intelligences to be built on.Continue reading…

I’m one of the luckiest moms on the planet. Out of my three children, only one has ever had an ear infection. It was the probably one of the most stressful weekends I’ve ever experienced as we waited to get into the doctor’s office on Monday. The pain that my poor daughter went through was gut wrenching for this mom!

I called a friend of mine who is very in touch with all things organic, natural, and homeopathic and begged her for a natural remedy to help us through the weekend. And of course, she had one! I had totally forgotten about this solution until a mutual friend of ours came to a Mom’s Night Out with her sick baby who also had an ear infection. Not only did my friend tell this mom how to take care of it, another mom in the group walked into the kitchen, prepared this solution below and took it to my friend to administer to the desperate mom’s crying baby. The mom sent an email to all of us the next day thanking our friends for helping her out and ecstatic that the solution took care of her baby’s ear infection without a doctor’s visit!

(Obviously, you’ll want to go with your gut on anything anyone recommends for treating your children – if you’re not comfortable with it, don’t do it! Research another solution and go with what gives you (and your partner) the most peace. Just my own little disclaimer here before dispensing ‘medical’ advice…)

Ballet of the Elephants

Winner of the 2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Award, this book filled with watercolor pictures of the true story of the Ballet of Elephants was captivating. When Igor Stravinsky (composer of The Nutcracker) was asked by George Balanchine (Russian Choreographer) to compose a piece of music for John Ringling North’s circus elephants to perform to, Stravinsky gladly jumped at the opportunity. My 6 year old listened to the story fascinated by the idea of elephants performing ballet, and was even more enthralled at the end when she realized this had been a TRUE story. Great book for introducing Stravinsky as a composer. Continue reading…

I wrote a post a while back about kiddos and the amazing things that they can say. In it, I listed some questions and challenged YOU to ask your kiddos the same ones, or more. I finally sat down with Kate today, one-on-one to get her responses. So here they are! Enjoy!

Where did you come from? Texas <THAT’S my girl!!>

Where are you going? (giggle) To my house

What is dancing? Fun

What’s the best place in the whole world? Home Why? Because my Mommy and my Daddy are here.

What do you wish for?

What is a giggle? It’s a laugh. Like what I’m doing. (giggle)

What do you dream about? Mommy and Daddy

What did you dream about last night? Mommy hugging me. <aw. So sweet.>

I was rocking Karis to sleep today, when I picked up a book off her shelf I haven’t looked at in years. It’s called A Child’s World, by Laura Straus. (Thanks, Cheri!) The book is basically a collection of quotes from children under the age of 10. Some are answers to simple questions like, “what is dancing?”, “what do you dream about?”, “what is the sky made of?”, etc…

I was struck again by the simplicity, clarity, and profound wisdom that our young children possess without even realizing it. For instance, here’s a couple of my favorites:

Do you want to be beautiful or smart?

I want to be Cella! -Cella, age 5

What’s the meaning of life?

The earth was lonely so people were made. -Daniel, age 9

Are you a human being? I’m a human being. We must be related. -Sylvie, age 3

Reading this book made me think of what fun it would be to ask my own kids (ages almost 6, 4, and 2.5) some of the same questions. And then I thought, “What fun would it be to ask all my friends with kids if they want to do the same?”

So, here’s your chance to tell me what YOUR kids say that is so profound. Feel free to share whatever you choose, I’m just going to give you a few questions (from the book) as a starting off point.

Where did you come from?

Where are you going?

What is dancing?

What’s the best place in the whole world? Why?

What do you wish for?

What is a giggle?

What do you dream about?

What did you dream about last night?

Do you want to be beautiful or smart?

What is the sky made of?

What did you do today?

How fast can you run?

What’s the meaning of life?

Can’t wait to read what you all hear from your brilliant kiddos. And I’ll share some of mine after they get up from rest time, too! Enjoy!